Definition of virulent

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< virucide

viruliferous >

vir·u·lent

(vîr

-l

nt, vîr

-) KEY

ADJECTIVE:

1. Extremely infectious, malignant, or poisonous. Used of a disease or toxin.
2. Capable of causing disease by breaking down protective mechanisms of the host. Used of a pathogen.
Bitterly hostile or antagonistic; hateful: virulent criticism. See Synonyms at poisonous.
Intensely irritating, obnoxious, or harsh.

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Latin vrulentus, from vrus, poison

OTHER FORMS:
viru·lence or viru·len·cy(Noun), viru·lent·ly(Adverb)

Thesaurus: synonyms for virulent

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